‘Essential service businesses must comply’

TRADE and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel has warned that essential service companies would be blocked from operating, if they failed to submit applications with his department.

This comes as the country entered a 21-day national lockdown at midnight until April 16, with people urged to stay at home and for most businesses to close, with the exception of food retailers and companies that provide essential services.

More than 700 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed, with more expected in the coming weeks.

All public transport has been shut down for the lockdown, which is being enforced by the SAPS with the assistance of the SANDF.

Patel said that all businesses that were granted permission to provide essential services were required to seek approval from the Department of Trade and Industry.

“Such businesses are required to apply to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), and obtain a certificate from the commission that allows them to continue trading,” Patel said.

According to the department, the certificate of compliance would be used as evidence to the authorities, including the police, when businesses were required to produce proof that they were given government permission to trade or that their employees were allowed to have unrestricted movement in relation to the operations of the businesses.

Companies that made false applications and masqueraded as essential services would face criminal prosecution, the minister warned.

Police Minister Bheki Cele, speaking to SABC News yesterday, said the government would provide assistance to the police to ensure that they implemented the enforcement measures for both business operations and the strict control of the movement of people.